Grandparents and Third-Party Custody Attorneys in Atlanta, Georgia
In certain situations when a child's well-being is at risk, grandparents and other trusted adults step in to provide the stability and care that a child needs. These situations can be deeply emotional, especially when a parent's legal rights are unclear, contested, or even in jeopardy.
If you are seeking custody or visitation as a grandparent or third party, you may be facing uncertainty about your rights and how to protect your relationship with the child you love. At Snider & Snider Family Law, we help clients navigate these sensitive cases with compassion, care, and focus.
Located in Atlanta, Georgia, we serve clients throughout the Atlanta metro area and North Georgia, including Gwinnett County, Cobb County, Fulton County, and DeKalb County.
Third-Party Rights in Georgia
In Georgia, it is presumed that a child's parents retain their respective custodial rights to that child. However, there are circumstances in which a family member of the minor child, as defined by Georgia law, may (1) file an original action seeking visitation of a minor child; and (2) intervene in an already pending action concerning the minor child at issue, such as in a pending divorce between the child's parents or a termination action of the parental rights of either parent of the minor child.
Georgia law limits these actions to three categories of non-parents who may seek custody or visitation of a minor child to grandparents, great-grandparents, or siblings, as defined below:
"Grandparent" includes "the parent of the parent of a minor child, the parent of a minor child's parent who has died, and the parent of a minor child's parent whose parental rights have been terminated."
"Great-grandparent" includes the parent of the parent of a parent of a minor child, the parent of the parent of a minor child's parent who has died, and the parent of the parent of a minor child's parent whose parental rights have been terminated.
"Sibling" means the brother or sister of a parent of a minor child, the brother or sister of a minor child's parent who has died, and the brother or sister of a minor child's parent whose parental rights have been terminated.
If you fall within the above categories, you may have an opportunity to seek custody of a minor child or visitation with a minor child if a court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the health or welfare of the child would be harmed unless such visitation is granted and if the best interests of the child would be served by such visitation. A court will be tasked with determining whether the health or welfare of the child would be harmed without such visitation.
Cases involving a family member seeking to obtain custody or visitation can be extremely fact dependent. If you, as a family member, have concerns for the health and safety of your grandchild, great-grandchild, niece, or nephew, it is vital to seek the assistance of experienced and knowledgeable Georgia attorneys who can advocate for you and for the child whose health and safety may be at risk.
Are You Seeking Child Custody?
How We Support Grandparents & Third Parties
Pursuing custody or visitation as a non-parent involves unique legal challenges. The courts require strong evidence to justify granting rights to someone other than a parent, and building that case takes careful, thorough preparation.
Throughout the process, we handle communication with other parties and represent you in court proceedings, so you are never navigating this alone.
At Snider & Snider Family Law, we work closely with grandparents and third parties to pursue arrangements that support the child's best interests. We understand that cases involving children can be some of the most sensitive and emotionally difficult experiences a person faces, and we approach every case with the care and attention it deserves.
Our firm proudly serves clients throughout Atlanta and the surrounding Georgia communities, including Fulton County, DeKalb County, Cobb County, and Gwinnett County, providing guidance for those seeking attorneys who truly listen and respond to their needs.
Why Our Clients Choose Snider & Snider Family Law
Our attorneys co-founded Snider & Snider Family Law on the foundations of personalized, attentive service, striving to make sure every client is informed about all aspects of their case and positioned for the best possible outcome. While we are committed to finding peaceful solutions through mediation and negotiation whenever possible, our attorneys have extensive experience in both trial before a jury and trial before a judge.
We are prepared to advocate aggressively in court if that's what your situation requires. That balance between compassionate guidance and strong advocacy is what sets our attorneys at Snider & Snider Family Law. No matter the path forward, you can count on us to:
Provide personalized guidance: We take the time to understand your relationship with the child and your goals for your case.
Collaborate with Professionals: We work closely with child professionals throughout the process of each case to consider the child's best interests.
Openly communicate: We strive to keep you informed throughout the process, explaining each step in clear terms.
Thoroughly prepare: We will build your case carefully, gathering the evidence needed to support your position.
Approach your case with compassion: We recognize how important these relationships are and treat every case with care.
Contact Our Georgia Grandparent & Third-Party Custody Attorneys Today
If you are pursuing custody or visitation as a non-parent, our experienced and knowledgeable attorneys at Snider & Snider Family Law have the skill and resources to develop strategies and solutions for your case.
Located in Atlanta, Georgia, we serve clients throughout the Atlanta metro area and North Georgia, including Gwinnett County, Cobb County, Fulton County, and DeKalb County. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.